Single gutter barn cleaner



u y 5 N. CORDIS SINGLE GUTTER BARN CLEANER 'Filed March 13 1950 3 mm N 3 45m ow ,INVENTOR." .NAT CORDIS A TTORNEY Patented July 15, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SINGLE GUTTER BARN-CLEANER Nat Col-dis, Silver Lake, Wis. Application March 13, 1950', Serial No. 149,320 8 Claims. (01. 198170) This invention relates to improvements in mechanical barn cleaners and more particularly to a barn cleaner of the type employing a conveyor chain and paddles or scrapers attached to the chain which travel within a gutter to a point of discharge.

Many types of barn cleaners have been proposed heretofore but none is adapted to rapidly and thoroughly clean a single gutter arranged behind a row of stalls. It is, therefore, a principal object of my invention to provide an im-, proved barn cleaner and conveyor which is particularly adapted for operation in a single gutter in a barn floor. Another object of this invention is to provide a combination barn cleaner and conveyor which provides a compact assembly for discharge of refuse at one end of a single gutter and a turn-around at the other end with minimum of space requirements and a minimum alteration of already existing barn floors and gutters. Further objects and advantages .ofmy invention will become apparent as the description thereof proceeds.

Briefly my invention comprises an endless chain conveyor arranged to travel in a gutter and over an aligned chute. Paddles or scrapers are adapted to project laterally from a single strand of the conveyor chain but are hinged to spaced links so that they may be swung 180 degrees in planes extending transversely of the chain. The chain runs on only one side of the trough assembly over idler and drive sprockets which are adjustably mounted for rotation in a plane substantially parallel to the wall of the gutter. In one direction the conveyor and paddles move along the bed of the gutter and in the reverse direction the chain is substantially flush with the barn floor at the edge of the gutter and the paddles or scrapers travel over the floor, a position which is attained by pivoting the paddles 180 degrees about the chain link from the normal cleaning position on the bed of the gutter. At the dead or closed end of the gutter and at the discharge end ofthe chute, novel turn-around assemblies are provided for shifting the relative position of the paddles.

, A limited number of paddles are fixed to only that portion of the total length of the conveyor chain which can be accommodated within the gutter and chute when the cleaner is not in motion. By, this means, when the apparatus is in an inactive position, all of the paddles can be arranged within the gutter and chute and none of the paddles obstructs the floor area adjacent thegutter. V

My invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment and to the attached drawings forming part thereof. Like reference characters indicatecorresponding parts in the various figures wherein:

Figure 1 is an elevation of my device arranged within a barn fiooxvgutter;

Figure 2 isa top planview oi the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 Figure 3 is a cross-section along the line 3-3 in Figure 1 showing the tum-around mechanism at the closed end of the gutter; 7

Figures 4 and 5 are .top and. side views, respectively, ofthemechanism for adjustably supporting the idler sprocket at the dead end of the gutter as shown inFigures 1 and 2; and

Figures Sand 7 are side and top views, respectively, of a chain structure and paddle mount which may be used in my invention.

Referring tothe drawing, the channel or gutter I0 is arranged behind cattle stalls and is provided. at one endwith an outlet conveyor trough l l which discharges at a point elevated from the main channel In. An endless conveyor I2 passes along the bottom of the channel [0 and is caused to travel in this position by means of sprockets I3 and [4 arranged at each end of the assembly. When the conveyor chain l2 reaches the lower end of the discharge conveyor chute II it passes upwardly over the floor of theconveyor trough and is guided by the pulleys l5. 7

The conveyor chain I2 runs on only one side of the trough l0 and is provided with only a limited number of paddles I6 which are pivoted to it and extend outwardly across the channel orgutter It! in a'rigid array. The length of the endless chain or conveyor l2 which is equipped with paddles is approximately the total length of the conveyor chain. Thus, when the apparatus has been used to clean the trough I 0, only that portion of the chain having paddles is retained within the trough assembly whereas that portion-of the chain which is stored at the upper edge of the gutter wall is free of any paddles. By this arrangement the paddles I 5 do not interfere with the cattle and yet an optimum number of scraping elements is provided for the cleaning operation. It will be recognized, however, that in some instances it may be desirable to employ a greater number of paddles than that which can be accommodated within the trough assembly.

Reverting Itoithedirection of the travel of the conveyor chain l2, after passing under the pulleys I5 it is driven upwardly over the discharge chute to the point of discharge I! above the hopper I8. There the paddle l6 swings downwardly and is guided by disc I! in a substantially radial direction about the drive sprocket l4. After the paddle I6 has traveled upwardly about the sprocket I4, it is deflected by fender 20 so that the paddle is pivoted laterally about 180 degrees from its former position in traveling through the gutter H). The fender 20 is fixed to the frame 2| and extends along the face of guide disc |9 to positively shift the paddles l6 about the conveyor chain l2.

The paddles l6 then travel along 23 until it reaches the barn floor. A channel bar 24 guides the chain downwardly and feeds the conveyor chain l2 into a. slotted channel guide means 25. The conveyor chain I2 and scraper paddle l6 then travel along the upper edge of the gutter wall Illa, the chain being supported, if desired, by chain support 26. As the chain and scraper near the dead end turn-around assembly comprising the chain guide, paddle deflector, idler sprocket and paddle disc guide, the chain enters a second slotted channel guide means 21 as shown in Figures 2 and 3.. The'paddle |6 travels up the deflector rod 28 until it is pivoted about the chain 52 onto'the guide rod. 29. The paddle l6 then continues over the guide disc 30 and the chain I2 passes overtheiidler. sprocket l3 until the circuit has been completed. and the scraper. H5 is once more traveling along the bottom of the trough ID.

A suitable drive mechanism for the conveyor chain and paddles is shown in Figures 1 and 2. A motor 33drives a gear 34 and chain 35 which in turn drives sprocket FM through gear 35 and shaft 3'1. It shouldbeiunderstood that other means-for drivin the chain may be used but since this is not a primary aspect of the invention, the drive mechanism need not be described in greater detail. Many such' mechanisms, however, are available to the. men skilled in the art.

Although .I have illustrated the discharge end H or :the trough asbeing elevated and as being supported by a framework 2| it should be understood that the hopper I8 may be recessed below the level ofthe-gutter l and, in that event, it will not be-necessary-to elevate the discharge of the assembly. If it is not elevated, then the guide pulleys I arenot essential and, if desired, the drive mechanism-33-34-35 can be mounted above the trough instead of below the trough as illustrated in Figure 1. 7

Referring to the idler or turn-around assembly, Figures 4 and 5 illustrate a means for adlusting the tension of the conveyor chain |2 during use. The housing. 40 of the turn-around assembly is provided with a slot 4| accommodating the shaft 42 on which is mounted the sprocket 3 and the guide disc 30. The shaft 42 is in turn iixedwithin theadjustable shaft terminal slidably held at anangle on the housing 40 corresponding to the pitch of the slot 4| The takeup bolt d s and-nuts, 45-46 can then be adjusted to move the idler sprocket shaft 42 outwardly or permit it to moveinwardly so as to maintain the desired tension on the chain assembly. The take.- up bolt 45 is placed in compression between thrust plate ,Gl-anclanchor plate 48,.the latter being rixed as by bolting .:or by welding to the housing 2-9. v, :1 j

A number .01 different types of chain may be used and I have illustrated in. Figures (Sand 7 one form OfJChBliIiWhiDhliS. described and claimed the guide strip in my co-pending application, Serial No. 92,553, filed May 11, 1949 and entitled De-Mountable Chain for Barn Cleaner. In this chain structure I emplo an apertured central link 50, parallel side bars 5|, and pintles 52 connecting said central link 50 and alternate pairs of parallel side bars 5|. The side bars 5| have apertured slots through which the pintles 52 extend. A clip 54 for retaining the removable side bars 5| of the chain comprises a resilient sheet substantially coextensive with the side bar and is provided with open pintle engaging slots at each end of the sheet. This clip maintains the pintles 52 in spread position and in bearing contact with side bars 5| at the ends of the slots 53 therein,

One means of mounting the scraper paddle l6 is illustrated in Figures 6 and 7 wherein a pair oftrunnions 55 are welded to the edge of the central link 50. The paddle I6 is pivotally fixed between the trunnions on the bolt or pin 56. A block 5Tiswe1ded to the angle iron scraper element |G;t oprovide a suitable bore for the pin 56. It is contemplated, however, that one edge of the angle iron, Hi can be bent upon itself parallel to the othersideof the angle iron to provide two aligned holes through which the pin 58 can be supported. Qbviously, the elements should be arranged insucha manner that the chain bar 50 does not interfere. with the rotation of the scraper aboutldegrees around thepin 56.

Although have illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention, it should be understood thatvariations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. As pointed out, other typesof chain constructions are contemplated and other means provided for pivotally mounting the scrapers about the chain. Likewise, wooden scrapers'can be substituted for the angle iron paddles illustrated in the drawings. Accordingly, I do notwish :to belimited to the precise details disclosed but intend to include such modifications and embodiments which will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the above description ofmy invention.

What I claim is;

1. In a barn cleaner for a gutter in a barn floor adjacent cattl'e'stalls, an endless conveyor means includinga sprocket chain mounted to travel along onewall through said gutter, the cleaning run of said'convey'or means travelling over the bed of said gutter and the return run of the conveyor means travelling at the upper edge of V the gutter, conveyor flights pivotally mounted on said sprocket chain, means at one end of said gutter for deflecting said flights degrees about said chain from their normal position of travel over the bed of said gutter, whereby the flights travel over the floor of the barn adjacent the edge of the gutter on the return run, and a fender means at the other end of said gutter adapted'to deflect said flights 180 degrees from the fioor level, thereby restoring the flights to an operative position in the bed of said gutter.

2. In a barn cleaner for a gutter in a barn fioor adjacent cattle stalls, a single endless conveyor means including a sprocket chain mounted to travel along one wall through said gutter, a drive sprocket and an idler sprocket mounted to rotate in a plane parallel to the wall of said gutter whereby theisaid conveyor means travels over the bed of said gutter in one direction and at the upper edge of thegutter in the reverse direction, conveyor flights pivotally mounted on said sprocket chain, means at one end of said gutter for deflecting said flights 180 degrees about said chain from their normal position of travel over the bed of said gutter, whereby the flights travel over the floor of the barn adjacent the edge of the gutter, and a fender means at the other end of said gutter adapted to deflect said flights 180 degrees from the floor level before travel about the idler sprocket, thereby restoring the flights to an operative position in the bed of said gutter.

3. In a cleaner for a gutter in a barn floor adjacent cattle stalls, a discharge section comprising an inclined chute aligned with one end of said gutter, a single endless conveyor chain mounted to travel through said gutter and over said chute, the return run of the conveyor chain travelling at the upper edge of the gutter, conveyor flights pivotally mounted on said endless conveyor chain, means adjacent said dischargechute for deflecting said flights 180 degrees from their normal position of travel through said chute, whereby the flights extend laterally of the gutter and travel over the floor of the barn adjacent the edge of the gutter, and a fender means at the other end of said gutter adapted to deflect said flights 180 degrees from the floor surface thereby returning the flights to an operative position in said gutter.

4. An endless conveyor means including a gutter open at one end and closed at the other end, a sprocket chain mounted to travel through said gutter along the wall thereof, the cleaning run of said chain travelling over the bed of said gutter and the return run of the conveyor means travelling at the upper edge of the gutter, conveyor flights pivotally mounted on said sprocket chain, means at the open end of said gutter for deflecting said flights 180 degrees about said chain from their normal position of travel over the bed of said gutter, whereby the flights travel over the floor of the barn adjacent the edge of the gutter on the return run, and a fender means at the closed end of said gutter adapted to deflect said flights 180 degrees from the floor level, thereby restoring the flights to an operative position in the bed of said gutter.

5. In a barn cleaner for a gutter in a barn floor adjacent cattle stalls, an endless conveyor means including a sprocket chain mounted to travel through said gutter along one wall thereof, said conveyor means travelling over the bed of said gutter and along the upper edge of the wall of the gutter, conveyor flights pivotally mounted on said sprocket chain, means adjacent said point of discharge for deflecting said flights about said chain from their normal position of travel through said gutter to a position parallel to the barn floor, whereby the flights travel over the floor of the barn adjacent the edge of the wall of the gutter on the return run, and a fender means at the other end of said gutter adapted to deflect said flights from th floor level to a position parallel to the bed of the gutter, thereby restoring the fllights to an operative position in the bed of said gutter.

6. A barn cleaner adapted to be installed in a barn floor gutter comprising an inclined discharge chute aligned with one end of said gutter, an idler turn-around assembly within the other end of the gutter, an endless conveyor chain mounted for travel over sprockets fixed to rotate in a plan parallel to one wall of said gutter, the return run of said chain travelling near the upper edge of said gutter wall above the cleaning run of chain, a plurality of spaced conveyor flights mounted on a portion of said endless conveyor chain and adapted to pivot 180 degrees about said chain, means adjacent said chute for deflecting said flights degrees from their normal operative position of travel over the bed of said gutter and over said chute whereby the flights travel over the floor of the barn at the edge of the gutter, and a fender means in said turn-around assembly adapted to lift said flights and deflect them 180 degrees onto a rotatable guide disc, thereby returning the flights to the initial operative position in said gutter.

7. A barn cleaner adapted to operate in a refuse gutter associated with a line of cattle stalls, the apparatus which comprises an inclined discharge chute aligned with the first end of said gutter, a turn-around assembly adjacent the second end of said gutter, an idler sprocket within said turnaround assembly, a drive sprocket adjacent the discharge end of said chute, an endless conveyor chain mounted for travel along one wall of said gutter and or said chute, a slotted channel means for guiding the return run of chain at the junction of the lower end of said chute with said gutter, a plurality of spaced scraper flights mounted on said endless conveyor chain and adapted to pivot about said chain 180 degrees, deflecting means mounted beyond the end of said chute for shifting said flights to a position which 7 is 180 degrees from their normal operative position of travel over the bed of said gutter and said chute whereby the flights are caused to travel over the floor of the barn at the edge of the gutter, a second channel means for guidin the upper run of the chain upwardly over the idler sprocket, and a fender means in said turn-around assembly adapted to lift said flights and deflect them 180 degrees from the floor of the barn whereby the flights are returned to their operative position for passage over the bed of said gutter.

8. In a straight-line barn cleaner for a gutter in a barn floor adjacent cattle stalls, an endless conveyor means including a sprocket chain mounted to travel through said gutter along one wall thereof, the cleaning run of said chain travelling adjacent the bed of said gutter and the return run of the chain travelling near the upper edge of the gutter, a plurality of scraper flights extending laterally from said chain across said gutter, said flights being pivotally mounted on said chain, means at one end of said gutter for deflecting said flights upwardly about said chain from their normal position of travel over the bed of the gutter to a position wholly outside the gutter, whereby the flights travel outside the gutter above the floor level on th return run, and a fender means at the other end of said gutter adapted to deflect said flights across the gutter, thereby restoring the flights to an operative cleaning position in the bed of said gutter.

NAT CORDIS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 462,417 Taylor Nov. 3, 1891 806,803 Hamilton Dec. 12, 1905 1,560,680 Fernandes Nov. 10, 1925 1,640,825 Flintrop Aug. 30, 1927 1,800,814 Boldt Apr. 14, 1931 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 684,584 Germany Dec. 1, 1939 

